The National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) has called on water companies on the Copperbelt to strictly adhere to regulatory guidelines and standards in the provision of water supply and sanitation services.

NWASCO just concluded a comprehensive inspection of Mulonga, Nkana and Kafubu Water and Sewerage Companies conducted from 14^th to 20^th May 2016 covering Mufulira, Chililabombwe, Chingola, Kitwe, Kalulushi, Chambishi, Ndola, Luanshya and Masaiti.

The inspection was aimed at checking compliance to processes and procedures in commercial, financial, procurement and human resources management departments.

The inspection revealed areas of non-compliance and issues of concern.NWASCO has since directed the three utilities to among others address issues identified.

Nkana Water and Sewerage Company has been directed to improve water supply to CEC Village Kataga Street, Mindolo West 2^nd to 6^th  street, portions of Chamboli and Luangwa Townships and start billing the over 400 customers who are not being billed including those in Magum Township.

Further Nkana Water should ensure that the challenges of sewage flooding in Kalulushi are eradicated.

Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company has been directed to ensure bills are distributed to all customers in Ndeke and Kariba Townships of Ndola with the view of improving the company’s revenue in line with tariff projections.

The Company should immediately improve the processing of new connections to ensure that the stipulated timeframes in the Service Level Guarantees are compiled with.

Mulonga Water and Sewerage Company has been directed to speedily address the numerous leakages across Chingola.

The water company should restore supply to Kawama Township of Mufulira which was cut off and improve water supply in Chabanyama and Twatasha Townships in areas in Chingola where supply hours were below guaranteed levels.

NWASCO further calls on customers to hold water companies accountable and ensure that complaints are resolved within time frames stipulated in the service level guarantees. All unresolved complaints should be reported to the NWASCO using the toll free line 5252.

BACK GROUND

NWASCO undertakes detailed inspections of all the eleven water companies and the 6 private schemes. From January to date five water companies have been inspected including Southern and Chambeshi water and sewerage companies. The next utility to be inspected is Eastern Water and Sewerage Company from the 20^th to 24^th June 2016.